Potty Training + a Giveaway!

Friday, May 20, 2016

I feel like the title of this post is a little awkward, but bear with me! I promise the giveaway is good!

So, I'm long overdue for an update on Mason. I planned on doing on in April because April is Autism Awareness Month and is also the month in 2015 that we found out that Mason has autism. But life had other plans and the time flew on past. Then I planned to do an update on the one year anniversary of me posting this letter to Mason, but again, life. I promise though... it's coming!

Today I wanted to focus a little on our potty training journey. Mason will be four in July and probably about 97% of kids are more than potty trained by now. I'd say most start to try between maybe the ages of two and three and are mostly potty trained by three when they start preschool. Thankfully, and luckily, for us, Mason is at a preschool that did not require him to be potty trained (so when he started at the age of two and not potty trained, it was not a problem). They are also helping us in the potty training journey, which I, for one, am SO happy about! Heck, I don't know anything about peeing standing up!

Up until now, I haven't pushed potty training. I'm sure I'm the only one in the world, but I don't hate changing diapers (in fact it's kind of convenient because if your kid needs to go, they just go, and you don't have to drop everything and find a bathroom). That being said, I know I can't be selfish forever and Mason obviously needs to learn to use the toilet.


We tried a while ago but didn't really have much success. We got one of those little toilets that you sit on on the floor and he had no interest. We even bought the potty seat for the toilet since that's what they were using at school since they were having some success - no success at home, even though we bought the exact same brand and everything. So I didn't push it. At this point, Mason's communication skills were still behind and I didn't think he could tell me when he needed to go. He also didn't seem to care when he was wet or dirty, so I just didn't think he was ready.

Fast forward a bit and we started to encourage it more and more. His ABA therapist would work on it at school with his teachers and at home with us. I even put up a little potty chart so he could add stickers. I thought that would give him some incentive - getting a prize once he filled up a row - but it didn't really work.

Fast forward to now. We got a letter home about two weeks ago saying that the school was going to full on start potty training Mason. They told us to bring four changes of bottoms, four changes of tops, four pairs of underwear, and two changes of socks and shoes. This was hardcore. I was actually excited. There's one teacher there that is known for potty training - not that she is mean, but she gets results. I was super excited, yet still not confident. Mason's speech has come A LONG WAY, but he still doesn't tell us when he needs to use the potty. We initiate often and he'll go when we take him, but he doesn't tell us and he still doesn't seem to care if he's wet or dirty. If I didn't change it, I think he'd walk around all day like that. It just doesn't phase him.

But hey, I'm up for trying anything.

So, the weekend before he was due to start potty training, we went to Target and bought some underwear and also happened to be lucky enough to get to try out some underwear from Lucky & Me. The Lucky & Me underwear are quite possibly the cutest things I've ever seen. I don't know why but I always think that things are cuter when they are smaller and the little boxers that we were sent are quite possibly the cutest things ever. Not only are they cute off Mason, but they are also cute on Mason. Yes, I'm that parent. I mean, come on, look at him!



We got the Grayson boxers and the Liam boxers. Both are super cute and so, so soft. What I also love about them is that they are tag-less. While Mason only had mild sensory issues due to his autism, I always look for everything he wears to be tag-less because no tag = less chance of him being annoyed and upset by it, more chance of him keeping it on, and a higher possibility of everyone leaving for work and school in the morning happy. In fact, I've been trying to let Mason make more of his own decisions in the morning in terms of his clothes so he feels more "in charge" so every morning I ask Mason which underwear he wants to wear and every morning he reaches for one of his pairs of boxers. Clearly he loves the softness and the feel of them too.







I also love that these styles of boxers are more formfitting so there is less chance of extra bulk in his pants or shorts and him getting annoyed by that as well. And bonus points, they are work as "shorts" when it's hot out and your kid wants to wear minimal clothing while playing basketball.



So, overall, I definitely wouldn't say that we can say that we've been successful with potty training, but I will say we've had some successes. I've "trained" (for lack of a better word) Mason to know that when it's bath time, we go upstairs, take off his clothes and diaper, and then go in to the bathroom to use the toilet before he gets in the bath. He does this automatically now and without a fight. I've also successfully had him come with me to the bathroom at a few restaurants and use the toilet. This was one of my biggest worries because of the noise of the flushing, but he doesn't seem to have any problem with the flushing noise (all the praise hand emojis!). He did, however, get scared when we were in a bathroom the other day and they only had the electronic hand dryer. It was really loud and he was scared to put his hands under the "unknown" which I completely get (hey, even I think they are loud!). So whenever I need to use the bathroom, I ask him if he needs to and he usually says yes. The first time I was shocked, but went along with it, and took him in. He wanted me to go first (sorry TMI) so I did everything I needed to and he flushed. Then I told him that it was his turn. I helped him pull down his pants and diaper with underwear over and he went! He flushed the toilet and then we both washed our hands. I think treating him like a big boy and praising him for going (I heard a little giggle from someone - probably a fellow mom - when I yelled "good job Mason!!!" after he went to the bathroom) has really helped. He gets a huge smile on his face and is so proud of himself. I, in turn, am so proud of him too, especially the fact that he goes potty like a big boy standing up. We haven't yet tried going #2 and sitting down, but baby steps!!

So, that's where we are. I know it will come when he's ready. I'm not too worried. He still has at least one more year of preschool before we put him in to kindergarten and I feel confident that he will be potty trained by the time he goes to kindergarten. Everything will happen when it's supposed to!

Enough potty talk... let's giveaway a gift card! Lucky & Me was generous enough to offer one reader a $50 e-gift card to their website! You can use it on anything you like (they have super cute stuff for girls too!). Winner will be notified by me and gift card will be emailed by Lucky & Me. Open to US residents only. Giveaway runs from Friday, May 20, 2016 at midnight PST to Monday, May 30, 2016 at midnight PST.

Good luck!





Discloser : I was given these underwear for free in exchange for a blog post. However, all opinions and statements are 100% mine (and Mason's!).



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24 comments:

  1. Yay! It sounds like everyone is doing great! I love the Lucky & Me boxers. Mason looks adorable. I'm not sure why kids are so cute in stuff like that, but I just giggle when I see Cam in his undies. I think because it makes him seem so grown up. Have a great weekend!

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  2. Yay Mason! We're starting this journey with Wes in a few weeks.... ahhh!

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  3. Congrats on your potty training successes thus far! My kids don't like the boxer type underwear but they are cute on Mason!!

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  4. Those little boxers are so cute! I never minded changing diapers either, I never really pushed Scarlett to potty train and I would say she was later than most as well to train and I was perfectly ok with it because she was home with me.... and the transition went a lot smoother because we waited. I will definitely do the same with Bodhi.

    It sounds like Mason is doing great though, that's so awesome and how fortunate that the preschool is on board to help with potty training!! Most wouldn't be!

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  5. I love the chart, I wish I would have done that with Chloe! It is so weird, when it is your own child, changing a poopy diaper does not phase you! Even getting poop and pee on me from my own child has no effect on me so I know exactly what yo u are saying. Those underwear are sooo cute. The underwear was probably my favorite part of the potty training. Good luck!

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  6. Great progress! I was the same way, I tried it at first, then didn't push it and he did it all in his own a couple months later. Totally entering, we would love these undies!

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  7. OMG those little boxers are SO CUTE!!! I totally agree, they're too adorable in underwear. :) Sounds like Mason is making great progress!! It's frustrating to hear, but sometimes it just takes time and they have to be ready. Keep at the encouragement, sounds like that's making a big impact.
    We would put the underwear UNDER the pull-up, so if he'd get wet he could feel it more, that helped with his awareness. And lots of stickers. :)

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  8. Go Mason!!! Potty training is definitely the hardest part with myou Mason so far. He's just like your's and could care less if he's wet or dirty. Must be a boy thing haha. Those boxers are absolutely adorable!

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  9. ha those are so cute! I would know nothing about peeing standing up either. Sounds intimidating. All in good time.

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  10. I totally agree with you...toddlers in underwear are just about the cutest things ever.

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  11. Oh my word! How cute is he? And those boxer briefs are adorable. You are right, he will do it when he is ready.

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  12. Oh my gosh, cutest little boxer briefs ever!!!

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  13. Congrats on your success potty training. It was so much harder than I imagined when I potty trained my daughter. I thought I would have to send her off to college in diapers!

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  14. Cutest little boxer briefs! Wyatt HATES tags! He finds them on anything (shirts, pants, blankets) and has me cut them off. Would love to win this!!

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  15. I didn't mind changing diapers either. And way more convenient than running for a bathroom... Like I did at the mall the other day. I have to say I'm glad to not be changing poopy diapers anymore but finding bathrooms and always thinking of the last time they went is a pain too lol. Noah prefers boxer briefs too. And was a little later than the norm too. No pressure from school so we did it a few months after he turned 3 when he seemed interested. Everyone will get there eventually. No rush really!

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  16. Litttle bodies in grown up undies are the cutest! Ive said it before, Mason's preschool is AWESOME! I cant even fathom PT a boy, the girls have been watching me pee for forever so its just a natural thing to sit down on a small potty. Sounds like youre on your way!

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  17. Little boxer briefs are just so darn cute!!! And I think it sounds like Mason's making great progress! I will definitely wait longer to potty train Nash...there's just no reason to rush it, if you ask me!!

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  18. Awesome job, Mason! I was a little excited at first that you were giving away some sort of potty training boot camp...because at this point, I would be all about shipping my two year old to you to potty train. #ThirdChildProbs #SummerCampInCali

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  19. Those little boxers are SO cute :)! Y'all are doing awesome. Potty training is SERIOUS work but we all get there in the end. Keep up the good work team!

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  20. YAY!!! Potty training the BEST. I felt like Cam was going to go to college in diapers, but thankfully, he will not (I hope). Great giveaway!! xo

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  21. Sounds like he's doing really well! Oh tags - Reese hates tags so we often have to cut them off her pants and shirts, so anything tagless is great in my book!

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  22. I have to say that potty training was the worst, hardest, most stressful transition for us. Mostly because of the messes that accidents provide and the fact that we had a huge battle with peeing in public.

    I love how well Mason is taking the transition. And those undies are adorable.

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  23. Um. HOW did I miss this post?! Mason in those little skivvies is about the cutest thing I've ever seen.
    AND, it sounds like he's doing so well with the training! Before you know it you won't be training anymore and it will just be another every day thing!

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